Worker had to borrow stepladders for roof work

Prosecutions and Claims |
29.02.2008

An employee who suffered a serious head injury when he fell while carrying out rooftop repairs had to borrow stepladders to access the roof, City of London Magistrates' Court has heard.

In July 2005 Kantilal Mistry, an employee of Team Q Maintenance, fell around 2.2 metres while carrying out repairs on air-conditioning units at Schawk UK's premises in Hackney, London.

There was no fixed means of access and no edge protection to prevent falls. Mistry had to borrow stepladders from Schawk to reach the roof.

Mistry is still suffering health problems as a result of the accident and is unable to work.

HSE inspector Chris Tilley said both Team Q and Schawk had been aware of the risks from working at height but "no effort was made to ensure that Mr Mistry was supplied with safe access equipment."

On 25 February City of London Magistrates found Team Q of Chestnut, Hertfordshire, guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act for failing to take steps to ensure the safety of employees.

Schawk UK was found guilty of breaching Regulation 3(1)(a)(b) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations for its failure to carry out a sufficient assessment of the risks to employees and non-employees.

The firms were fined £20,000 each and ordered to pay £3,098 costs.